Max Verstappen has firmly rejected any connection between Red Bull’s recent performance decline and the announcement of Adrian Newey’s departure from the team.
Red Bull’s dominance at the start of the season was evident as Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez secured three 1-2 finishes in the opening four races. However, the team’s advantage has waned, with Lando Norris delivering a decisive 22-second victory over Verstappen at Zandvoort.
Red Bull’s performance issues were first highlighted at the Miami Grand Prix, where Norris claimed his first win, and Verstappen has been vocal about the car’s deteriorating balance since then. The Dutch driver has admitted that his RB20 has become “more challenging to drive” following recent upgrades.
Despite these issues, Verstappen has dismissed the idea that Newey’s announcement of his departure before the Miami weekend is linked to Red Bull’s current struggles. When asked about a potential correlation, Verstappen said, “Normally not. The timing of his departure shouldn’t immediately impact the car’s performance, as the car remains fundamentally the same.”
Verstappen also addressed whether he has been in contact with Newey, who has been with Red Bull since 2006. He noted, “We haven’t communicated much in the last few weeks, especially since he’s moved offices. But whenever we do cross paths, our relationship remains positive.”
Newey’s decision to leave comes amidst other controversies at Red Bull, including allegations of misconduct against team principal Christian Horner, who has since been cleared of any wrongdoing. This situation, combined with a public dispute between Horner and Verstappen’s father, Jos, has added to the team’s turmoil.
Verstappen was asked if these internal issues have affected the team’s performance. He responded, “It’s challenging to pinpoint exactly where things have gone wrong. My focus is on collaborating with the engineers to address the performance issues.”
With Norris’ impressive win at Zandvoort extending Verstappen’s winless streak to five races, the reigning champion does not view the Dutch Grand Prix as a “wake-up call.” He explained, “We couldn’t get the car to perform as needed, partly due to wind conditions affecting the balance. It was simply not our strongest weekend.”
